Sara Abrons

Sara Abrons

Sara Abrons is executive editor of rAVe [PUBS] and managing director of THE rAVe Agency. She is also a graduate of the School of Media and Journalism at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Reach her at sara@ravepubs.com or on Twitter @SaraAbrons. Pronouns: she/her.

ClearOne To Acquire Software-Based Videoconferencing Company Spontania

ClearOne has agreed to buy cloud collaboration company Spontania from Spain-based Dialcom Networks, S.L. in an all-cash deal for €3.65 million (approximately $5 million USD). Spontania is a software-based cloud collaboration solution that combines video conferencing and web conferencing into a single enterprise solution that can scale to 10,000+ users. This will expand ClearOne’s videoconferencing […]

ClearOne To Acquire Software-Based Videoconferencing Company Spontania

Panasonic Adds New Toughpad 7-Inch Tablet With Windows 8.1 Pro

Today at CES, Panasonic introduced the latest member of its Toughpad family of rugged, enterprise-grade tablets. The Toughpad FZ-M1 is Panasonic’s thinnest and lightest rugged 7-inch fanless tablet with a 4th generation Intel Core i5 processor. Running Windows 8.1 Pro, the Toughpad FZ-M1 can be easily incorporated into enterprise and government environments. With a broad […]

Panasonic Adds New Toughpad 7-Inch Tablet With Windows 8.1 Pro

THIEL Launches TM3 Bookshelf Loudspeaker at CES

THIEL Audio announced at CES this week the introduction of the TM3 two-way bookshelf loudspeaker. THIEL says the TM3 offers a reimagined industrial design that emphasizes what it labels as “modern lines.” Priced at $2,999 per pair, the TM3  is packaged in a multi-ply wood enclosure. The two-way design utilizes a 6.5-inch cast basket woofer […]

THIEL Launches TM3 Bookshelf Loudspeaker at CES

SAVANT Wi-Fi Universal Remote Control Now Shipping

Savant Systems is now shipping its new Wi-Fi-based Savant Universal Remote (SUR-0500), originally unveiled at CEDIA Expo 2013. The $399 controls distributed audio, lighting, climate control and other features within a home or small commercial setting. Savant claims that the new Universal Remote is self-configuring once connected to the network. The Savant Universal Remote supports […]

SAVANT Wi-Fi Universal Remote Control Now Shipping

Pass Labs Intros New Mono and Two-Channel X.8 Series Amplifiers

Pass Laboratories just launched the X.8 (aka Point.8) Amplifier Series, which consists of five Class A amplifiers and four Class AB amplifiers, four two-channel and five monoblock models. The two-channel amps include the X150.8, the X250.8, the X350.8 and the XA30.8. The mono models include the X600.8, the XA60.8, the XA100.8, the XA160.8 and the […]

Pass Labs Intros New Mono and Two-Channel X.8 Series Amplifiers

Crestron Joins AVnu Alliance

AVnu Alliance, the industry consortium that certifies Audio Video Bridging (AVB) products for interoperability, added Crestron as a member this week. This is a significant addition for the Alliance. Standing at 65 global members, AVnu Alliance is seeing accelerated momentum for AVB across a number of markets including professional A/V, automotive and residential with member […]

Crestron Joins AVnu Alliance

Intelix Intros New FLX Series Matrix Switcher With HDBaseT

Liberty AV Solutions’ Intelix group has launched a four-input, four-output HDMI/HDBaseT matrix switcher dubbed the FLX-44. The FLX-44 features four HDMI inputs and four HDBaseT outputs with mirrored HDMI ports on outputs 1 and 2. The FLX-44 includes HDBaseT transmission chips to reach 70 meters (230 feet) over a single Cat6 or greater cable, and […]

Intelix Intros New FLX Series Matrix Switcher With HDBaseT

Kramer Intros DVI Fiber Optic Transmitter and Receiver Sets

Kramer introduced this month the new 614T/R detachable fiber optical transmitter and receiver set, which sends and receives single link DVI signals with resolutions of up to 1920×1200 at 60 Hz, over one multimode fiber optic cable with SC connectors. The company also introduced the 616T/R detachable fiber optic transmitter and receiver set for sending […]

Kramer Intros DVI Fiber Optic Transmitter and Receiver Sets

Sanus Launches iPad Air Stand

Sanus is debuting at CES a new mount built specifically for the iPad Air — the Sanus 4-in-1 iPad Air Stand (VTM21). This mount helps keep an iPad secure and in whatever view you need it. It can be used on flat surfaces as a stand, mounted underneath cabinets or on walls, or attached magnetically […]

Sanus Launches iPad Air Stand

MSE Audio Buys Soundsphere

MSE Audio, the parent company of SoundTube Entertainment, has acquired Soundsphere, a Connecticut-based manufacturer of omnidirectional speakers and speaker systems. Founded in 1976, Soundsphere is best known for its ceiling-mounted, globe-shaped omnidirectional speakers. These speakers produce a wide, diffuse sound field and are installed in a broad variety of applications including offices, government facilities, warehouses […]

MSE Audio Buys Soundsphere

Wolf Cinema Launches Three New Home Theater Projectors

Wolf Cinema has just launched three new DLP based front projectors for home theater applications: the SDC-6, the SDC-20 and the SDC-25, an LED-based home theater projection system. All three new models are available immediately. The 1920×1080 resolution SDC-6 is spec’d at 3,500 ANSI and includes the company’s ProScaler MK III outboard video processor. It’s […]

Wolf Cinema Launches Three New Home Theater Projectors

Dukane Announces New Chrome/Net Book Charge Cart

The Dukane MCC3 is a secure storage and charge cart for laptops and Chrome-books that can hold 36 devices and provide charging power to 12 devices at a time using a built-in sequenced power system. Power is supplied from the original power adapters that accompany the devices. The adapters are securely held in compartments located […]

Dukane Announces New Chrome/Net Book Charge Cart

NSCA Announces Speakers & Sessions for 16th Annual BLC

NSCA’s 16th annual Business & Leadership Conference (BLC) will be held Feb. 27-March 1, 2014, in Dallas, Tex. This year’s educational sessions cover topics that NSCA members say are crucial to successfully managing their businesses, from a 2014 economic outlook to guaranteed ways to achieve higher profits. With two celebrated keynotes at BLC — best-selling […]

NSCA Announces Speakers & Sessions for 16th Annual BLC

Epson Launches Budget Projectors Aimed at Small Business

Epson’s new VS-Series projector models are aimed at small businesses on a budget. There are three models: Epson VS230, VS330 and VS335W, which are all priced under $529 and feature 3LCD technology. Features for the VS series include HDMI and VGA inputs, automatic vertical keystone correction, a horizontal easy-slide control bar and direct power on/off. […]

Epson Launches Budget Projectors Aimed at Small Business

Extron Ships Universal XTP Transmitter for Multi-Format Analog Video

Extron has announced the immediate availability of the XTP T VGA, a universal XTP transmitter that sends multi-format analog video, audio, bidirectional RS232 and IR control, as well as Ethernet up to 330 feet (100 meter) over a single CATx cable. The transmitter digitizes incoming analog formats, providing signal extension of RGBHV, HD component video, […]

Extron Ships Universal XTP Transmitter for Multi-Format Analog Video

Digital Signage Up 8 Percent in Q3 2013

The Platt Retail Institute has reported that the current DS index increased by 8.07 percent, from 117.34 in the second quarter of 2013 to 126.82 in the third quarter of 2013. Comparing the third quarter 2013 to the third quarter 2012, the Current DS Index increased by 1.21 percent. The Near-Term DS Index rose by […]

Digital Signage Up 8 Percent in Q3 2013

CEDIA Launches New Website

CEDIA has launched a new website and online learning portal that will serve as the go-to resource for home technology professionals, with exclusive content for CEDIA members. The new cedia.net delivers robust content and tools aimed to help home technology professionals in every aspect of their business. To read the complete press release online, click […]

CEDIA Launches New Website

Crestron Opens Experience Center in Texas

Crestron has opened a new experience center in Flower Mound, Tex., which it celebrated earlier this month with a grand opening. To read the complete press release online, click here.

Crestron Opens Experience Center in Texas

Samsung, LG to Both Introduce Curved 105″ UHD TVs at CES

At CES next month, both Samsung and LG will introduce 105″, curved displays featuring UHD resolution. The displays will offer a 21:9 CinemaScope resolution that’s 5120X2160 pixels — that’s 11 million pixels. Samsung’s new display offers what the company calls a “new proprietary picture quality algorithm” for delivering optimized color and depth. It also has […]

Samsung, LG to Both Introduce Curved 105″ UHD TVs at CES

Netflix to Lead 4K Content Streaming Push, Will Start With House of Cards

According to a recent interview at Stuff with Netflix Chief Product Officer Neil Hunt, Netflix will stream the second season of its popular TV show House of Cards in 4K to select Smart TVs (brands to be announced at CES) next spring. The TV show’s second season has already been shot in 4K and is being […]

Netflix to Lead 4K Content Streaming Push, Will Start With House of Cards

Samsung Improves Gesture-Based Control of TVs at CES

Ahead of CES, Samsung has announced that it has added “finger gesture” technology to its Smart TV line up, which will allow users to change the TV channel, adjust the volume, as well as find and select what they want to watch using  just their fingers. By motioning counterclockwise, they can also go back to […]

Samsung Improves Gesture-Based Control of TVs at CES

LG to Introduce Sonos-Esque Wireless Audio System

At CES next month, LG will introduce a new wireless audio system (the NP8740) that runs on mesh network technology, which uses dual band Wi-Fi (2.5/5GHz). The speakers can be set up in any combination of rooms, connecting an entire house or a single room. The network makes it possible for users to play a […]

LG to Introduce Sonos-Esque Wireless Audio System

Kramer Intros VP-794 Live Events Scaler, First Product Released as Part of Calibre UK Partnership

At ISE, Kramer will introduce the first model in its new professional and events range, the VP-794, which is the first product to come out of its recent partnership with Calibre UK. The VP-794 multi-input scaler is designed for scaling, scan conversation, professional edge-blend and warping of video content on to projection and LED video […]

Kramer Intros VP-794 Live Events Scaler, First Product Released as Part of Calibre UK Partnership

Christie to Introduce Q Series Projectors at ISE 2014

Christie will introduce at ISE 2014 in Amsterdam a new series of 1-chip DLP projectors with the new Christie Q Series. The Christie Q Series 1-chip DLP platform has brightness options ranging from 8,500 to 10,000 lumens and XGA, WXGA and WUXGA resolutions. These projectors are designed for rental and staging applications, such as concerts or […]

Christie to Introduce Q Series Projectors at ISE 2014

Projecta Intros Elpro Concept Screen with Leaf-Shaped Casing

European screen manufacturer Projecta will introduce at ISE 2014 a new leaf-shaped case of the Elpro Concept, which replaces the square Elpro box design and offer a stylish solution for design-sensitive installations. This is an elegant solution for when the case of the projection screen cannot be installed into the ceiling. The Elpro Concept is […]

Projecta Intros Elpro Concept Screen with Leaf-Shaped Casing

Extron Ships Two Input XTP Wallplate Transmitter for HDMI and VGA Signals

Extron Electronics is now shipping the XTP T UWP 302, a two-input XTP wallplate transmitter that provides the convenience of connecting local source devices at a wall or other locations including a lectern or floor box. This XTP transmitter mounts into a standard three-gang junction box, and sends HDMI or RGBHV video, audio and control […]

Extron Ships Two Input XTP Wallplate Transmitter for HDMI and VGA Signals

Digital Signage Expo Announces 2014 Apex & Content Award Finalists

Digital Signage Expo (DSE) has announced 33 finalists for its Apex Awards and 31 finalists for its Content Awards for 2014. The annual DSE Apex Awards honor innovation in the development and deployment of technology in the global DOOH industry. Nominees are the end-use sites of the installation. The annual DSE Content Awards recognize originality […]

Digital Signage Expo Announces 2014 Apex & Content Award Finalists

DisplaySearch: Growing TV Sizes Boost Overall Display Market

The average size of LCD TVs is on the rise, a trend that continues to be a driving force in global TFT LCD flat-panel-display (FPD) demand. According to the NPD DisplaySearch Quarterly Worldwide FPD Shipment and Forecast Report, growth in TFT LCD area demand will increase 9 percent, from 141 million m² in 2013 to […]

DisplaySearch: Growing TV Sizes Boost Overall Display Market

DisplayNote Appoints First VP of Sales for USA

DisplayNote Technologies Ltd, has appointed Andy Penman as it’s VP of Sales for the USA. Andy joins DisplayNote with 10 years’ experience in the technology industry, specifically education technology such as interactive classroom displays and classroom response technology. He is also a fully qualified teacher and taught in the UK for a number of years […]

DisplayNote Appoints First VP of Sales for USA

BTX and Mersive Partner

Mersive, a provider of visual computing software announced today BTX Technologies, a value-added distributor and manufacturer of interface, integration, and system products has joined the company’s partner program as a national distributor. Through the partnership, BTX will expand the reach of Mersive’s visual computing software solutions throughout the United States. To read the complete press […]

BTX and Mersive Partner

Whitlock Announces New Executive Appointments

Whitlock, an AV integrator with offices across the world, announced this month promotions to its executive team. Julian Philips and Jack Steinhauer will now serve as executive vice presidents, and Chris Jamison has been promoted to a newly created role of vice president of Information Technology (IT) and service delivery. To read the complete press […]

Whitlock Announces New Executive Appointments

Michael Prager Hired as Director of U.S. Sales For ADAM Audio

ADAM Audio USA announced this month that it has named Michael Prager as director of U.S. sales. In this new capacity, Michael will be responsible for all sales activity including direct accounts and sales representatives, as well as overseeing the marketing for ADAM’s Professional line. To read the complete press release online, click here.

Michael Prager Hired as Director of U.S. Sales For ADAM Audio